Scale attachment for supporting wagon-beds.



G.E.BURNETT. SGALHATTAOHMENT FOR SUPPORTING WAGON BEDS.

Patented May 30, 1911.

CHARLES E. BURNETT,-OF NORTH ROSE, NEW YORK.

SCALE ATTACHMENT FOR SUPPORTING WAGON-BEDS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented May 30, 1911.

Application filed January 16, 1911. Serial No. 602,814.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, CHARLES E. BURNETT, a citizen of the United States,residing at North Rose, in the county of Wayne and State of New York,have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Scale Attachmentsfor Supporting Wagon-Beds, of which the following is a specification.

My invention applies to wagons in which springs are interposed betweenthe wagon bed and the running gear thereof in any suitable manner.

The object of my invention is to provide a wagon of such type with ascale or weighing attachment for indicating the weight of the load inthe wagon bed.

A further object of my invention is to utilize the springs that arebuilt into the wagon as a part of my scale mechanism, said springs beingsupplemented with a measuring or indicating device which indicates thecompression or flexing of the springs under different loads.

A further object of my invention is to make such scale attachmentadjustable so as to fit the running gear of any wagon regard less of itslength, and to permit variations in the length of the running gear ofany wagon to which it is applied.

Another object of my invention is to make the indicating mechanismreadily accessible at the side of the wagon so that the load thereonwill be easily visible to anyone standing at the side of the wagon,giving to the driver of the wagon an opportunity to see from the scalemechanism what load is carried in the wagon at the same time that thewagon is being weighed on a platform scales.

It will be understood of course that wagons containing the ordinary runof farm commodities are frequently driven on the platform scales at theelevator or freight depot and are there weighed by the operator of theplatform scales. The scale beam of the platform scales is ordinarilywithin a house by which it and the weighmaster is protected from theweather. The driver ordinarily cannot leave his team and cannot go intothe house for the purpose of verifying the weight which is ascertainedby the weighmaster, but he can stand by the side of his wagon and readthe indication on my improved scale device. It will be understood alsothat my scale device may indicate on either the right or the left handside of the wagon, as may be preferred, it being shown in the drawingson the left hand side of the wagon merely as a matter of convenience, itnot being thought to involve invention to adapt the mechanism so that itwill indicate on the right hand side of the wagon instead.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 represents a perspective view ofthe running gear of the wagon and my improved scale mechanism thereon,the wagon bed being omitted therefrom for the purpose of clearness. Fig.2 is a detail perspective view showing on a large scale the indicatingmechanism of my invention. Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the partsshown in cross section at 3 -3 in Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is a view on the line 44 in Fig. 2. Fig. 5 is a plan view of the pivot of the indicator and thesupport therefor, looking at it from below. Fig. 6 is a detailperspective view of the indicator and the link connected thereto. Fig. 7is a detail View of a modified connection between the two sets of angleirons used for operating the pointer 31. Fig. 8 is a side elevation ofthe plate 10 ready for use. Fig. 9 is a plan view of the plate 10 beforeit is bent to the form shown in Fig. 8.

In the accompanying drawings like reference numerals indicate likeparts.

In the drawings I have shown the running gear of the wagon comprisingthe wheels at, Z), c and (Z, mounted on the axles f and g, which axlesare tied together by the ordinary reach frame it. Mounted in the wagonin any suitable manner are provided the bolsters 1 and 2. On either sideof the bolster 1 are provided the springs 3, 3, and on either side ofthe bolster 2 are provided the springs 4, 4. I prefer to use two springson each bolster although it is obvious that one spring can be used oneach bolster instead. On the top of each of the bolsters is a plate or astrap 5 embracing a crank hanger 6, to the outer ends of which areconnected the springs 3 and 4. The springs 3 and 4 are the ordinary bowsprings. Mounted on each of the bolsters are the upright stakes 7 7between which may be placed the bed of the wagon. Between these uprightsand mounted on the springs 3 and t are the platforms 8 and 9 on which itis intended to rest the bed of the wagon. On top of each of the bolstersis fastened a plate 10, which plate is formed from a sheet metal blankillustrated in plan view in Fig. 7, the plate being bent on the dottedlines illustrated in Fig. 7, and when so bent in section has the outlineindicated in Fig. 8. Fastened to these plates 10 are the angle irons l1and 12. These angle irons extend toward and overlap each other to theextent shown in Fig. 1, and permit of the adjustment thereof so as toincrease or decrease the distance between the bolsters 1 and 2 of thewagon frame. On the platforms 8 and 9 are mounted straps 13 and 1% towhich in like manner are also connected angles that overlap each otherand permit of the same adjustment. I provide a T-shaped casting 15 towhich is riveted a semi-circular strap 16. The casting and the strap arefastened to the lower angle irons by the clamps 17. The casting has anarm or brace 18 with which the strap 16 connects and by which it is heldrigidly in position. The casting is also provided with a bracket 19depending therefrom and extending below the angle iron, on which ismounted a pin 20 projecting under the angle iron to the other sidethereof. On this pin is a collar 2O and on the end of the pin is mountedthe link 21, said link being pivoted on the pin and held between the endof the collar and the end of the pin in any suitable manner. hlounted onthe upper angle irons 22 and 23 is a yoke 2 1- on the lower side ofwhich is pivotally mounted the link 25. To hold this link in positionagainst the vertical side of the angle iron a block 24' is set in theangle iron at this point, being clamped therein by the yoke 2 1 whichbears on said block. The block is suitably recessed to permit the link25 to swing freely therein and still hold it in position. Mounted in thelink 25 at its lower end is an eye-stud 2'7, which stud is fastened bynuts 28 at either side of said link, the eye-bolt having a threadedportion of suflicient length. to permit adjustment thereof in the link.Connected to the eyebolt 27 is a rod 29, which in turn is connected tothe arm 30 which is a part of the pointer 31, which pointer is pivotallymounted on the brace 18 at 32. The connecting rod 29 is connected to thearm 30 by means of the clamp 33, which is adjustable on the arm 30 andcan be fastened in any position by means of the set screw 34:. Thisadjustment is needed to adapt the apparatus to springs of differentweight and strength, it being obvious that where the spring is stiff theclamp 33 should be moved toward the pivot 32 to give the arm 31 a longtravel around the graduated scale, and where the springs are light andmore easily flexed under a load, the clamp 33 should be moved out fromthe pivot 32 so as to decrease the travel of the pointer 31 around thecircular scale.

It will be understood from the showing in Fig. 1 that when the wagon bedrests on the platforms 8 and 9, the springs and l would be compressed.to a certain extent. it is believed that the flexing or bending ofsprings of this type would be substantially proportionate to the weightof the load resting thereon in which case the gradations on the circularscale 16 would be uniform for each ten or one hundred pounds or whateverother unit of measurement might be adopted. If however the compressionor bending of the springs would be smaller at heavy loads than it wouldbe at light loads, the graduation of the circular scale 16 would bevaried to correspond, it bein only necessary to determine that with agiven weight the pointer would stand at a given mark on the circularscale 16. \Vhen the springs 3 and l. are compressed, the angle irons and23 would move toward the angle irons 11 and 12 and would make the links25 and 21 rock on each other at the oint '26. The free end. of the link25 would through the connecting rod 25) draw on the arm 30 of thepointer 3t and move the pointer 31 around the circular scale 16. lVhenthe wagon bed is empty the pointer 31 would point at a certain place onthe circular scale, which point would be the Zero mark on the scale.This mark can be Varied at will by the adjustments at 33 and at 27,these adjustments being provided for the purpose of makii'lg the pointerpoint to the zero mark on the circular scale.

It will of course also be understood that the link 25 is perforated witha series-of perforations, in either of which the eye-bolt or eye-stud 27can be inserted for the purpose of affecting the angular movcn'ient ofthe arm 31 around the scale, which. angular movement is also affected bythe adjustment of the clamp 33, as above explained. is the load on thewagon increases the upper angle iron will move toward the lower angleiron, due to the compression of the springs 3 and 4-, and will draw thepointer 31 around the sen'ii-circular scale accordingly.

To secure a reduced motion of the connecting rod 29 the links 25 and 21may be constructed as shown in Fig. 7. in which figure the link 21. isshown perforated, permitting a variable engagement of the coin nectingrod 29 therewith.

It will be understood of course that the circular scale 16 is calibratedby live pounds, fifty pounds, one hundred pounds or any other suitablesub-division, according to the strength and stiffness of the springs andt. The springs would preferably be of such weight and stiffness as topermit an indication on the circular scale 16 up to live thou sandpounds and on a wagon that has been equipped with this apparatus it hasbeen found that while it will weigh up to five thousand pounds, it willalso weigh accurately additions to the load as low as five pounds oreven lower. It has been found that an addition of one pound to the wagonbed will produce a perceptible movement of the scale pointer.

The pivot of the link 25 must be exactly half way between centers of thesprings on the two bolsters. It is apparent that the angle irons 22 and23 act as an evener between the springs, so that it is not necessarythat the weight should be evenly distributed over the two springs, butthat the pivot point of the link 25 is compressed substan tially thesame amount whether each spring is compressed evenly or whether one iscompressed considerably more than is the other. The pivot of the link 21need not be so accurately positioned. The connecting rod 29 can bedisengaged from the eye in the clamp 33 so as to throwthe pointer 31 outof action V when it is not necessary to use the scale.

The distance between the bolsters may be increased or decreased byloosening the clamp 24 on the upper set of angle irons and the clamps17, 17 on the lower set of angle irons, upon which the angle irons maybe drawn out on each other or may be pushed in together. hen the properlength has been reached the clamp 24 must be again set with its pivotexactly half way between centers of the springs 3 and 4- and the twobolsters and the clamps 17, 17 must also be tightened on the lower angleirons to hold them in adjustment as well. The angle irons 22 and 23 aremounted so as to lie normally somewhat below the upper side of theplatforms 8 and 9 on which the bed of the wagon must rest. This is madenecessary by reason of the fact that cross bars ordinarily extend underthe wagon bed and these cross bars must clear the top angle irons, whichresult can only be secured by placing the angle irons 22 and 23 down toa corresponding extent. The lower angle irons 11 and 12 are hung halfway down from the bolsters which support them so as to prevent the upperangle irons from contacting with the lower angle irons when the springis compressed. The pivot 32 of the pointer 31 extends through thecasting 15 and has connected thereto at its lower end one end of thespiral spring 10, the other end of which is fastened to a pin 41 in thecasting 15, between which the spring is held in place. The spiral spring40 serves to take up the lost motion between the link 25 and the pointer31, so that the parts will always move in uniso When the scale is not inuse it is desirable to disengage the connecting rod 29 from the eye-stud27 and fasten it against movement.

For this -purpose I provide an eye 42 riveted to the angle 12, withwhich the hook on the end of the connecting rod may be engaged for thepurpose of holding it in place when so disengaged.

It will be understood of course that the scale is to be used only whenthe wagon is at rest, and while the wagon is traveling the connectingrod 29 may be disengaged from the link 25 so as not to be jarred orshaken as it would be when the wagon is traveling over the ordinaryroads.

I have shown my invention in connection with a particular kind ofspring, one of such springs being used in connection with each bolster.It is obvious however that my in vention is equally applicable to thewagons which have two springs in connection with each bolster, it beingnecessary merely to connect such springs with the evener to which theangle irons would in turn be connected, or a double set of angle ironscould be used at the top, which could be connected in the middle by anevener, to which in turn the link 25 could be connected, all suchvariations and modifications of my invention being considered as easilywithin the scope and spirit thereof. It will also be understood thatwhile I have shown angle irons for connecting the front and backportions of the wagon and for supporting the links of the scalemechanism, that any other form of construction that will secure therequisite strength and stiffness and permit of the lineal adjustment aswell may be used therefor instead.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and patentableis as follows:

1. The combination of gear therefor, a bolster mounted thereon at eachend of the wagon, a spring on each of said bolsters, a rigid connectionbetween said springs, a rigid connection between said bolsters, saidconnections being independent of the wagon bed, means supported on saidrigid connections for indicating the weight supported on said springsand the bending of the springs caused thereby.

2. The combination of a wagon, running gear therefor, a bolster mountedthereon at each end of the wagon, a spring on each of said bolsters, arigid connection between said springs, a rigid connection between saidbolsters, said connections being independent of the wagon bed, meanssupported on said rigid connections for indicating the weight supportedon said springs and the bending of the springs caused thereby, saidrigid connections operating as equalizers.

3. The combination in a wagon, running gear therefor, a bolster mountedthereon at each end of the wagon, an angle iron connected rigidly toeach of said bolsters and extending therefrom toward the other end ofsaid wagon, said angle irons overlapping a wagon, running &

each other, means for clamping said angle irons together, springsmounted on said bolsters, similar angle irons connected to said springs,means attached to one of said sets of angle irons for measuring on theother angle iron the bending of said springs.

L. In a scale construction the combination of a pair of rigid supports,a spring mounted on each of said supports, rigid connections betweensaid springs, rigid connections between said supports, said connectionsbeing independent of the wagon bed, indicating mechanism carried on saidconnections for indicating the weight supported by said springs.

In a scale construction the combination of a pair of rigid supports, aspring mounted on each of said supports, rigid connections between saidsprings, rigid connections between said supports, indicating mechanismcarried on said connections for indicating the weight supported by saidsprings, said indicating connections comprising a link pivotally mountedon the rigid connections between said springs, a link pivotally mountedon the rigid connections between said supports, said links beingpivotally at tached to each other, a connecting rod connected to one ofsaid links, an indicating scale mounted on one of said supports, anindicator pivoted thereon and connected to said connecting rod.

6. In a scale construction, the combination of a pair of rigid supports,a spring mounted on each of said supports, an equalizer between saidsprings, an equalizer between said supports, said equalizers beingindependent of the wagon bed, indicating mechanism carried on saidequalizers for indicating the weight supported by said Spllll s.

7. In a scale construction, the combination of a pair of rigid supports,a spring mounted on each of said supports, an equalizer between saidsprings, an equalizer between said supports, links pivotally mount- .edon said equalizers, one of said links being longer than the other andhaving pivoted thereto the free end of the other link, a connecting rodconnected to said link, an indicating scale mounted on one of saidsupports, an indicator pivoted centrally to said indicating scale andconnected to said connecting rod.

8. In a scale construction, the combination of a pair of rigid supports,a spring mounted. on each of said supports, an equalizer between saidsprings, said equalizer consisting of an angle iron rigidly connected toeach of said springs and extending toward the other spring, said angleirons overlapping each other, a yoke for clamping said angle ironstogether, a link pivotally mounted on said yoke, a block clamped in saidyoke for holding said link in position.

9. In a scale construction, the combination of a pair of rigid supports,a spring mounted on each of said supports, an equalizer between saidsprings, an equalizer between said supports, said equalizers beingindependent of the wagon bed, indicating mechanism carried on saidequalizers for indicating the compression or bending of said springs,said indicating mechanism being adjustable to magnify or reduce theindication caused by a given bending of said springs.

10. In a scale construction, the combination of a pair of rigidsupports, a spring mounted on each of said supports, an equalizerbetween said springs, an equalizer between said supports, indicatingmechanism carried on said equalizers for indicating the compression 'orbending of said springs, said indicating mechanism comprising a pair oflinks, perforations in one of said links, a connecting rod capable atone end of connection to either of said perforations, a pointerpivotally mounted, a crank thereon, said connecting rod being capable ofconnecting at its other end with said crank, said connection beingcapable of movement in or out on said crank, to increase or diminish theleverage on said crank and vary the angular movement of said indicator.

11. In a scale construction, the combination of a pair of rigidsupports, a spring mounted on each of said supports, an equalizerbetween said springs, an equalizer between said supports, a T-shapedcasting, a semi-circular strap rigidly connected thereto, means orclamping said casting and its strap to one of said equalizers, anindicator pivotally mounted on said casting centrally to saidsemicircular strap, a pin mounted on said casting, a link pivotallymounted on said pin, a link pivotally mounted on the other equalizer,and a pivotal connection between said links.

12. In a scale construction, the combination of a pair of rigidsupports, a spring mounted on each of said supports, an equalizerbetween said springs, an equalizer between said supports, a T-shapedcasting, a SQlDi-Cll'Ctlltll strap rigidly connected thereto, means forclamping said casting and its strap to one of said equalizers, anindicator pivotally mounted on said casting centrally to saidsemi-circular strap, a pin mounted on said casting, a link pivotallymounted on said pin, a link pivotally mounted on the other equalizer,and a pivotal connection between said links, a connecting rod betweenone of said links and said indicator.

13. In a scale construction, the combination of a pair of rigidsupports, a spring mounted on each of said supports, an equalizerbetween said springs, an equalizer between said supports, a T-shapedcasting, a semi-circular strap rigidly connected thereto, means forclamping said casting and its cator, a spring mounted on said indicator10 strap to one of said equalizers, an indicator pivotally mounted onsaid casting centrally to said semi-circular strap, a pin mounted onsaid casting, a link pivotally mounted on said pin, a link pivotallymounted on the other equalizer, and a pivotal connection between saidlinks, a connecting rod between one of said links and said indifortaking up the lost motion thereof.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature in presence of two Witnesses.

CHARLES E. BURNETT.

Witnesses:

J OHN C. ALDRICH, E. W. CATELEPALL.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressingthe Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, D. G.

